The record total was nearly $16,000 more than was raised last year and a far cry from the $13,000 raised in the events first year in 2003. Thanks to generous sponsors, fans and the participating Nittany Lion football players, Lift For Life has now raised an eight-year total of nearly $500,000 for the Kidney Cancer Association.

Its a nasty-looking chunk of cancer, a plug of renal cell carcinoma that sometimes finds its way into the inferior vena cava. Because of its location in the bodys largest vein and its potential threat to the heart and brain, this tumor thrombus is serious indeed.

Despite sweltering conditions in Holuba Hall, the eighth annual Penn State Uplifting Athletes Lift For Life was a huge success drawing more than 3,000 fans and raising a record total of $98,461.35 to benefit the Kidney Cancer Association.

It may have been hot on Holuba Hall on Friday but that did not keep players form Penn State's football team from raising a record amount of money to be put toward kidney cancer research. More than 3,000 fans came out in support of the Nittany Lions as the team raised $98,461.35 for the Kidney Cancer Association.

Figlin, a prolific researcher known for his work on new urologic and lung cancer treatments, will help manage the institutes growing clinical trials program, in which more than 100 studies are being conducted. As leader of the hematology/oncology division, he will oversee breast, prostate, lung, blood and bone cancer programs.

The application of nanotechnology in the field of drug delivery has attracted much attention in recent years. In cancer research, nanotechnology holds great promise for the development of targeted, localized delivery of anticancer drugs, in which only cancer cells are affected.

Nate Stupar pours ice on his neck after completing the course during the Penn State Football Uplifting Athletes' Eighth Annual Lift for Life in Holuba Hall. Players form teams of four and compete in an 11 event challenge with exercises ranging from bench pressing to a giant tire flip. Proceeds from the event benefit the Kidney Cancer Association.